Roofglaze News

Dec 2009

Working under contract to RG Carter, Roofglaze Limited has installed twelve 6m square monopitch rooflights featuring state-of-the-art Nanogel®-filled multiwall polycarbonate glazing at the new Tesco Superstore at Haverhill, Suffolk.

This is one of the first of Tesco’s new ‘low carbon’ stores, built to meet the requirements of the company’s far-reaching climate change programme, which has been well received by environmentalists and consumers alike.

Roofglaze Nanogel® rooflights provide a number of important advantages over conventional glazing materials, making them particularly well suited to Tesco’s new low carbon stores.

Brian Spencer, Senior Project Manager at RG Carter, explains:  “With an unprecedented U-value of just 0.89 W/m2K, the rooflights provide a twofold contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Firstly, heat loss is minimised, as the thermal performance of the rooflights is virtually the same as the surrounding roof construction. Secondly, excellent light transmission and reduced solar gain allow the use of large glazed areas. This in turn minimises the requirement for artificial light, thereby reducing energy consumption. “

To further reduce energy consumption, the rooflights have been installed in conjunction with an intelligent dimming system that controls artificial lighting relative to the ambient light level in the building.

Another key factor in the selection of Roofglaze Nanogel® rooflights for the project, was the quality of light provided to the internal environment. Nanogel®-filled glazing provides even lighting with minimal shadows or ‘hot spots’ – perfect for displaying goods in a retail environment. 

The Nanogel®-filled glazing also provides a 25% noise reduction (at 1,000 Hz).

Weighing approximately 4 kg/m2, compared with over 30 kg/m2 for a typical double glazed glass system, Roofglaze Nanogel® rooflights are suitable for a wide range of roof constructions and are ideal for retrofits and upgrades.

The Nanogel®-filled glazing elements are delivered to site pre-assembled, so installation is quick and simple – as with any multi-wall polycarbonate rooflight.

Nanogel® is a free-flowing translucent granular material comprising hydrophobic silica-based particles. This is placed in the cavities within polycarbonate multiwall glazing.